Following Zombie’s strong denial Lee now says: “I would love to have Rob direct The Dirt, but as far as I know that’s not happening. I haven’t heard that anyone has been picked yet – the drummer is always the last to know.”

But Lee is only pulling the same track Bret Michaels did to make a Poison-Crue tour into reality.

In November the singer told fans his band would be touring with Lee’s outfit in 2011 – then he was forced to admit he’d made it up after members of Crue reacted with rage.

Manager Eric Sherman said: “Motley will listen to the fans – not to guys trying to book a tour through the media.”

For years members of Lee’s outfit had said they’ve never consider hitting the road with Poison, a band they regard as from a different timeline. Bassist Nikki Sixx was always vehemently against the idea, Singer Vince Neil said there would be no tour, and Lee just said: “No!”

Michaels then commented: “Oh well, you can’t blame me for trying to put together what I thought would be a great tour for the fans.”

Nevertheless, Motley Crue, Poison and the New York Dolls will appear across the US this summer, marking the 25th anniversary of Michaels’ outfit.

So perhaps Zombie’s insistence that he’s not going to direct The Dirt is a little premature.